Situated in downtown Calgary, the Dorian debuts as the latest entry in Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Envisioned by CHIL Interior Design, the property’s interiors draw inspiration from poet and playwright Oscar Wilde and reinterpret 19th-century design flourishes through a colorful, contemporary lens.
“What we’ve created is full of surprise, humor, and endless attention to detail. From start to finish, we aimed to produce an experience at the Dorian that propels downtown Calgary’s hospitality scene forward,” says CHIL principal and global design lead Adèle Rankin. “With the Dorian, we explored how bringing opposites together can create beauty. What made the Dorian such an engaging and exciting project is how unapologetically bold it is from start to finish.”
The 136-room urban retreat welcomes guests with an eclectic palette of bold patterns and colors evocative of Wilde’s eccentricity and wit. Tartans, houndstooths, and tweeds layer interiors alongside a motif that alludes to the shattered mirror at the heart of Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Brass accents infuse a historical flair across the property as well, complementing saturated colors and contrasting surfaces—including marble, dark wood, and floor-to-ceiling floral wallpaper—that further channel the Victorian era.
Populated with a wraparound bar, large communal tables, semi-private banquettes, and round café tables, the lobby café, known as the Prologue, organically transitions into a bar in the evening. Hunter green barstools and brass fixtures add a dash of color to the muted space, while mosaic floors reference English apothecaries of the 1800s and classic Parisian bars.
The Wilde, the hotel’s upscale restaurant, is housed on the 27th floor, where seven-foot-tall glass windows and an alfresco patio reinforce the surrounding sprawl. A moody lounge heralds guests with low acrylic tables, overhead puck-shaped lights as well. Brass accents echo the lobby in the dining room, where maroon chairs and green benches are installed upon dark wood floors and a backdrop of tiled pillars. A fitness center and events hall round out the onsite amenities.
Custom wallcoverings ensconce each accommodation to match upholstered chairs and sofas to reflect the flair of 19th-century interiors. Bold patterns contrast leather headboards and understated brass elements. Suites comprise expansive sitting areas outfitted with hardwood floors, upholstered sofas, and unique artwork.
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